CAL Crutchlow claimed victory in the Grand Prix of Argentina, a race that will go down in MotoGP history as one of the most bizarre and dramatic of all time.QUITE frankly, from start to finish, the MotoGP Grand Prix of Argentina defied belief.
Where do you even begin… Let’s start with the podium: Cal Crutchlow managed his tyres to perfection and fought off a last-lap challenge from Johann Zarco to win his third MotoGP race, while Alex Rins scored his first podium in the premier class for Suzuki, Jack Miller finishing on their tails in fourth.
Then there was the beginning: Miller started from pole position with a literal four row head-start. As he did to top qualifying, the Australian was the only one to switch to slick tyres as the field gridded up on a damp but drying track.
Every other rider had to return to the pits and fit slicks, a move which delayed the start and earnt them grid penalties, which moved every rider other than Miller back 12 grid positions.
Then there was Marc Marquez’s race, which almost didn’t get started at all.
Bizarre start to Argentina GP
The reigning world champion stalled his bike on the grid, bump started it, then rode the wrong way back to his grid position. It was a move that earnt him a ride through penalty that dropped him to 19th, but such was his pace that he was fifth past the chequered flag.
However, he got there via a sequence of aggressive – even by Marquez’ standards – moves, culminating in one where he forced Valentino Rossi to crash.
That one earnt him a 30 second post-race time penalty for “irresponsible riding”, dropping him back to 18th position and out of the world championship points.
Through all the drama, the race itself was an absolute cracker.
Miller’s grid advantage allowed him to lead easily at the first corner, Marquez blazing his way from ‘sixth’ on the grid onto Miller’s rear tyre by the end of the lap.
‘Front row’ starter Dani Pedrosa only made it to the penultimate corner of the opening tour. A pass from Zarco put the Honda onto a damp patch, a nasty high-side crash flicking the Spaniard into the gravel.
Marquez blasted past Miller down the back straight to take the lead, only to be handed the ride-through penalty for his grid antics, dropping him to the tail-end of the field.
He charged past bike after bike until he squeezed Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro aside for 18th, a move race direction believed was too aggressive, ordering Marquez to give back the spot.
It didn’t exactly deter his progress. A few laps later he was on the tail of the battle for fifth between Maverick Vinales, Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso.
An unexpected error occured
Marquez move takes out Rossi
Marquez made short work of the Ducati but made a meal of his move on Rossi, forcing the Yamaha wide and onto the wet grass, with the inevitable consequence of the No.46 hitting the deck.
An exasperated Rossi gesticulated wildly as Marquez rode off, himself apologising. Rossi would remount and finish 19th; Marquez would pick off Vinales for fifth on the final tour, before his penalty dropped him back to 18th.
Story by: Will Dale Source: news.com.au